Draft to modify Right of Persons with Disabilities Bill sent to PMO

New Delhi: The draft of a bill which seeks to increase the categories of disabilities from existing seven to 19 to enable more people to avail facilities under various schemes has been sent to the Prime Minister's Office for consultation, Union minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said on Thursday.

"It is the right of every individual to lead a dignified life and the present government in the past two years has strived hard to make this possible for persons with disabilities (PwDs).

"As per the draft of Right of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, the categories of disabilities for which benefits of government schemes are given have been raised from 7 to 19 to enable more such people to avail facilities under various schemes," he said as he felicitated the beneficiaries of various schemes at a function here to mark the two years of the Modi government.

Representational image. Reuters

The Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister said after the inter-ministerial consultations, the draft of the bill has now been sent to the PMO for consultation.

He said a Unique Disability Identity Card, which will be valid across the country, will soon be made available to PwDs.

He said the current government has brought in transparency in the distribution by using the mode of Direct Benefits
Transfer. He said his department will try to provide all necessary facilities to the sector.

Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, said the PwDs have carved a niche for themselves in the society and are climbing ladders of success overcoming all kinds of barriers.

The government has emphasised on modernisation of assistive aids and equipments by signing MoUs with Ottobock (Germany) and Motivation (UK), he said, adding transfer of technology under 'Make in India' programme will help the department further reach out to persons with disabilities.